Council moves to take abandoned property at 1450 Saint George Avenue; officials cite safety hazards and possible razing

The Woodbridge Township Council adopted an ordinance authorizing acquisition of property at 1450 Saint George Avenue by condemnation (eminent domain/abandonment procedures), citing a long history of code complaints and the property's status on an abandoned property list.

During the public hearing, a resident asked who owned the property and what the cost to the township would be. A municipal official and council members described the property as long-troubled, with repeated housing-code violations and safety hazards. The official said the township has received back-tax notices and housing complaints over years; housing inspectors had issued violations and the owner sometimes failed to act or appear in court. The official stated the town's immediate objective is to take possession to remove the public safety hazard; there are "no plans at this time" for redevelopment, though the township may raze the structure after taking possession.

Why it matters: Condemnation that moves abandoned, unsafe properties into municipal control can remove immediate hazards to neighbors; it also transfers ownership responsibilities to the township and may require future funds to demolish and either hold or redevelop the lot.

Outcome: The council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance; the ordinance was submitted to the mayor for approval as required by law. The transcript records the legal process term "eminent domain" as synonymous with "condemnation."